More family violence feared because of court fees
Updated at 5:40 am on 16 June 2012
The Association of Counsellors says fees introduced for the Family Court will hurt the most vulnerable families and could increase family violence.
From next month, a couple will have to pay $220 for the court to help settle arguments about child care arrangements.
Disagreements about dividing up assets will cost $700 to lodge and $906 for each half day hearing.
The services were previously free.
Association president Jonathon Loan says the new fees will hit at-risk families particularly hard.
He says pricing them out of the Family Court service denies them their fundamental right to have access to justice.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand
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